Mustang Public Schools Investigating Salmonella Outbreak

By Colleen Chen, NEWS 9

MUSTANG, Oklahoma -- Mustang Public School officials and the Oklahoma State Department of Health are investigating a Salmonella outbreak among elementary children in Canadian County.

Officials said 10 cases have been confirmed in Mustang among elementary-aged children. The first case was reported in Mustang on September 2. The most recent case occurred on September 13.

State Epidemiologists are starting to survey students and their parents both on site and via phone to try to track down the source of the outbreak.

"If there are several people with the same strain in a short period of time, it suggests a common source," said Epidemiologist Laurence Burnsted.

The half hour interviews include questions about a child's eating habits, both at school and at home.

Most parents in the school district said they are taking the outbreak in stride.

"For the most part my kids are healthy. I feel like, even if we contracted it, it would be something  we could overcome," said parent Lisa Grove

Mustang Public School officials said their Child Nutrition Department has a good record, and the outbreak was not necessarily related to food preparation.

Two adult cases have been identified in Oklahoma County as well as another case in Carter County. Investigators are working to see if those cases are tied to the Mustang outbreak.

Symptoms of Salmonella poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

No children have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.

Read the letter sent to all parents at Mustang Public Elementary Schools